Law

In weighing the motivations of Robert Brian Thompson’s crimes, U.S. District Court Judge M. Hannah Lauck hit him with a question that seemed to catch him by surprise: she asked him how his house is.

“This is certainly a case that calls for deterrence. We need to send a message: you cannot steal from agencies of the commonwealth and get away with it,” said Judge John Gibney.

John Hunter Raines admitted to using the embezzled funds on private jet trips, limo rides and a gambling and booze habit. The judge in his case has signaled he won’t show leniency at sentencing.

A dispute that began with accusations of stolen money and a mysterious death has come to a quiet end in Henrico County Circuit Court.

“It’s fair to say if you’re not growing, you’re dying,” Geiger said. “We have 79 lawyers, we’ve moved offices, increased technology and we’re on an upward trajectory.”

“Betting on yourself and betting on your partners is exhilarating,” Seven Hills Strategy Group co-founder Edward Mullen said of making the leap from law firm Reed Smith.

“Even with this huge new firm, we’re still the second largest office in the country,” the local managing partner said of the firm’s the Richmond outpost.

This year’s local legal sagas involved Tiger Woods, a Fortune 500, two local businessmen fighting for their innocence and a wealth advisory feud.

The 129-year-old firm made its first local hire that resulted in its first Richmond office and the launch of its government affairs practice.

The recent filings come a month after Chicago-based Loop revealed that it bowed out of the Diamond District project six months ago, just before D.C.-based Republic Properties filed its suit.